Abstract: The invention described herein is a buoyancy compensator for a diver having a single thickness wall formed of substantially non-stretchable material that has been coated with a meltable plastic. The buoyancy compensator walls on the interior portion with the meltable plastic are adhered to each other in rounded areas or ribs having rounded ends to avoid stress when the buoyancy compensator is under pressure and provide a conformation to the buoyance compensator with a limitation of expansion in different areas of the walls of enhancement of the overall configuration and improved buoyancy relationship of a diver at a particular portion of the buoyancy compensator. The entire buoyancy compensator is served by inflation means and overexpansion gas valving means. The buoyancy compensator is fitted and secured by means of belts and shoulder straps for respective waist adjustment and shoulder and side portion adjustment.

Abstract: The disclosure in the specification sets forth a digital diving meter providing information on an axis to be readily observed in reading the information along the axial line of the display. The display is incorporated within the diving meter movement having a cover thereover. The cover comprises a cover for the digital dive meter having a handle extending therefrom at an axis form the axial line of display for ease of holding and reading the information.

Abstract: A diver's buoyancy compensator belt to be used with a diver's buoyancy compensator of the type that allows for increases and decreases of air to be provided thereto, depending upon the amount of buoyancy that is required. The buoyancy compensator belt has a first belt made of webbing for attachment to a buoyancy compensator and a backpack that in turn receives a tank connected thereto. The buoyancy compensator belt retains the buoyancy compensator around a diver's waist at distinct locations to allow for movement thereof which allows for the belt to expand and contract, due to the belt being made from an elastomeric material. The elastomeric material allows for a stretching and contraction of the belt, due to various pressure conditions and can be made of elastomeric foam having discrete cells therein. As the belt expands and contracts due to the discrete cells being pressurized at various depths, it compensates for the depth.

Abstract: The disclosure sets forth a breathing gas second stage regulator having a tilt valve for introducing breathing gas into a breathing box through means of a diaphragm flexing into the interior thereof. Lever means connect the tilt valve to the diaphragm so that as said diaphragm flexes internally it causes said lever to move and actuate the valve. A mouthpiece is connected to the interior of the chamber of the regulator for providing an inlet and outlet to a breather. The chamber at the mouthpiece interface is configured with a curved surface to enhance laminar flow and reduce turbulent flow into the chamber from the mouthpiece upon a user's exhalation. The curved surface limits backflow and stall, as well as limiting the separation of exhalation exhaust until proximate an exhaust valve. An exhaust valve opening within the chamber walls has an exhaust valve therein so that exhaust upon exhalation from a user can pass through said exhaust valve outwardly.

Abstract: A strap and retainer for a diver's mask, or other mask to be held on a user's face. The retainer is comprised in part of a molded portion of the frame of the mask with a movable clip portion therein which is pivotally mounted into a molded pocket in the frame of the mask that receives the clip. The clip comprises a main lever portion that is pivotally mounted in the pocket with an angular spring arm portion that rides within the base of the pocket. At the other end of the pivotal lever portion from the spring portion is an angular barb or tooth having a substantially upright angular face portion and a sloping angular face portion.

Abstract: The following specification discloses a buoyancy compensator bladder and method of manufacture therefor. The bladder has a plurality of gussets implaced therein in order to rigidify and maintain a pre-established general configuration to the bladder. A plurality of insets or pleats are implaced around the shoulder area to provide for a generally arcuate curvilinear conformation therearound. A nylon plastic coated material is used for the gussets having one side that can be bonded to the inner side of the bladder, while the other side is formed from a nylon having a higher melting temperature. The gussets that are made from the nylon coated material are folded and implaced within the bladder or cavity formed from a plurality of sheets, the combination of which is brought together and heatset by means of an RF heater, or other suitable heater.

Abstract: The following specification sets forth a conformable buoyancy compensator that conforms to a user's body in a uniform manner during use. The buoyancy compensator incorporates an interior bladder having a plurality of heat sealed pleats or insets around the shoulder area in order to provide conformity of the buoyancy compensator to a user's body. The bladder further comprises interior reinforced gussets that retain the conformation of the bladder in a plurality of air channels or pockets that conform to the frontal areas of a user's body. The arm openings are free and open for a user to extend one's arms. Between the front and back portions of the air channels are a plurality of side panels that can be made of spandex, elastic, or can be configured of suitable strapping. The buoyancy compensator has vents. Vented pockets are provided for the receipt of a second stage regulator therein, as well as providing for other specific storage of items used by a diver.

Abstract: A first and second stage breathing gas regulator having a first stage redundant piston assembly with a first piston encompassing a second piston. In the eventuality the first piston fails, the second piston provides regulated gas. A safety alarm is provided when a pre-established pressure drop occurs, signalling a decrease in breathing gas by opening to provide gas to drive an audio alarm. The second stage regulator has a balanced second stage that operates with a valve lever in operative relationship to a diaphragm. A hand wheel and cammed valve permit the bypass of breathing gas around the valve of the second stage regulator when required. The outlet of the second stage regulator is provided with a trap door cover to avoid dirt and debris being introduced to the second stage regulator when a hose is not connected thereto.

Abstract: The following specification discloses a combination backpack and gear bag for use by an underwater diver. The backpack is one wherein a container of gas such as a tank of pressurized gas is held on the back of a diver for purposes of providing a diver with breathing gas while diving. The backpack can be supported by straps across a user's body, or by means of a buoyancy compensator attached to the backpack for supporting the backpack and the tank therewith. The gear bag is such that it allows a backpack to be interconnected thereto. This is possible by means of insertion of the band or other connection means which holds the gas cylinder against the backpack through a passage in the gear bag followed by implacement of the gas cylinder within the gear bag and securing it with the connection means. The gear bag is oriented so that it can include within a portion thereof, carrying space for not only the cylinder, but other attendant apparatus, such as fins, snorkels, wetsuits, gloves, and other diving apparatus.

Abstract: A respirator face mask formed from a silicone or other vulcanized rubber with a multi-compound curved face seal having a superior configuration for facial fit. The mask is held by four support buttons and two straps attached thereto having a reverse leverage pulldown effect to pull the mask into contact with the facial area. The four attachment means for the straps are eccentric buttons having an undercut that overrides a loop that can be easily disassociated when the attachment loop is reversed and pulled over the button. A concave configured sealing diaphragm on the exhalation valve provides for substantially uniform opening with less effort than is normally encountered in such valves. A staggered anti-inversion rib on the concave underside of the exhalation valve prevents the diaphragm from inverting to a convex configuration. The valve includes an exhalation valve stack and vent that can be covered at a sharply chamfered opening to provide for a pressure fit test.

Abstract: The following specification discloses a breathing gas mask having an elastomeric or plastic main body portion supported by a head band formed with a number of supporting straps for holding the mask to a user's face. The mask has a large viewing lens with an elongated protuberance in the form of a bead extending around the periphery of the viewing lens for purposes of protecting the major lens surface from exposure to impacts and scratching when it is laid on its face. The mask incorporates an oral nasal interior breathing cover with a speaking diaphragm in adjacent relationship thereto to allow for the intake of breathing gas into the oral nasal mask area while allowing for exhalation through a poppet valve in connected relationship to the oral nasal mask. The outer mask seal incorporates a flared interior seal member around the inner periphery thereof which incorporates a compound curve having variable cross sectional shapes around the periphery thereof to allow for a tightened seal to a user's face.

Abstract: The following specification discloses a fiberoptic pressure gauge suitable for use with a tank of compressed gas. In particular, the tank of compressed gas can be utilized by an industrial worker, a fireman, or a diver wherein breathing gas has been stored in a tank to allow for delivery thereof to a user. The pressure within the tank which is indicative of the supply of gas for delivery to a user's mask, is monitored by means of a bourdon tube type of movement that is connected to a shutter overlying a lighting source, such as a light emitting diode (LED). The lighting source is in optical relationship to a plurality of fiberoptic bundles that terminate at a distal end in a plurality of ends that are placed in calibrated relationship to a plurality of numbers indicative of the pressure within the tank.